Helicopter.



E. BERLINER.

HELIGOPTER.'

APPLICATION FILED JULY 11-. m0.

Patented Aug. 31;

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

mmmo

E. BERLI'NER.

HELICOPTER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 11. 1910.

Patented Aug. 81, 1915.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

E. BERLINER.

HELICOPTER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 11. 1910.

Patented Aug. 31, 191 5.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

E. BERLINER.

HELICOPTER. APPLICATION man JULY 11. 191

Patented Aug. 31, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

EMILE BEBLINER, or wasnmeron, msrmc'r or COLUMBIA.

HELICOPTER Specification of fletters Patent.

Application filed July 11, 1.910. Serial No. 571,448.

' 1 To all whom it may concern:

. new and useful improvements in parachutes,

which are especially adapted to be used .in connection with a helicopter.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of.propelle r blade which shall be extremely light and which, through its proportions and shape, secures a veryefilcient propelling force.

These and other objects will in part be obvious, and will in part be hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings which show by way of illustration more or less diagrammatically one embodiment of the invention; Figure 1 is a side view of my improved device show-- ing the parachute in section and in dotted lines ',the parachute in closed position. Fig.

'2 is a top plan view of the same with the parachute open. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the propeller blades with the canvas surface removed to show the construction of the frame. Fig. 4: is a longitudinal section through a portion of the outer end of the propeller. Fig. 5 shows a section of the outer end with the cover thereon. Fig. 6 'is a section on the line 6, 6, of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7, 7 ,of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8, 8 of Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9, 9 of Fig. 3. Fig. 10 is a section on the line, 10, 10, of Fig. 3; and Fig. 11 is a section on the line 11, 11, of Fig. 3.

In the drawings I have shown a device more or less diagrammatically for the purpose of illustrating an embodiment of my invention.

As illustrated, the helicopter consists of a platform 1, from which rise supports- 2 which are connected at the upper end to a ring 3. The platform, supports and ring constitute the framework of the helicopter.

' A hollow shaft 4 is mounted in suitable bearings in the frame and carries a gear 5, at its lower end; As herein shown, two propeller blades 6, 6, are secured to the hollow shaft 4', and held thereon bysuitable Patented Aug. 31, 191-5..

bracing rods. A second shaft 7 passes through the hollow shaft 4 and carries a gear 8 at its lower end. Two propeller blades 9, 9, are rigidly mounted on the shaft 7, and also connected thereto by suitable bracing rods. The gears 5 and 8 are adapted to cooperate with suitable gears on' the shaft of a motor 10, which may be of any suitable construction. As the motor is operated, the propeller blades will be rotated with their supporting shafts and as herein shown, one set of propeller blades rotates in a direction opposite to that of the other set of propeller blades. The propeller blades are all similar in construction and as shown in Figs. 3 to 11, consist of a suitable hub 11 which is preferably made of wood and hollow for the sake of lightness.

Extending from the hub is a skeleton framework which consists of a strip 12 attached to the hub and following the outline of the propeller blade. Longitudinal ribs 13 are also attached to the upper surface of the hub 11, as'viewed in Fig. 3 at their inner end, and at their outer end to the strip 12.

Longitudinal ribs 14 are attached to the under surface of the hub 11 at their inner end, and at their outer end to the strip 12. It will be seen therefore, that the ribs 13 and 14 are spaced from each other, thus forming a hollow frame. A plurality of cross ribs 15 Fate secured at intervals to the strip 12 and to the longitudinal ribs 13 and a plurality of cross ribs 16 are secured at intervals to the strips 12 at their outer ends, and to the longitudinal ribs 14. Cross struts 15 and cross blocks 16 may be used.

As clearly shown in Fig. 6, the upper surface 17 of the blade has a greater curvature than the lower surface 18. The upper and lower surfaces of the section 7 also vary in curvature, but to a less extent. This varia tion decreases toward. the outer end of the propeller blade, as clearly shown in the various sections illustrated in Figs. 6 to 11. The angle of inclination of the surfaces adiacent the hub also varies toward the outer end of the propeller in order to give the proper helical shape to the propeller blade.

The entire skeleton framework of the proa suitable'fabric covering 19, as shown in pell er blade is covered above and. below by Fig. 5.

tion.- I have also provided a hollow propeller blade wherein the upper and lower surfaces difi'er in'curvature, which greatly increases thepropellingforce of the blade.

Then again, I. have provided a propeller blade wherein the entire framework may be 7 made of wood, and may be made hollow, so

as to decrease as far as possible, the weight of the blade.

In the drawings,

'4 copter as provided with a parachute 20.

Said parachute consists of the usual ribs21,

' which are hinged to the ring 3-at its upper i outer edges of'the parachute are curved upvacuum end, and flexible braces 22 serve to limit the opening of the parachute. The parachute, as herein shown, is attached at a point directly below the propellers, and when in closed position, the entire frame of the helicopter is inclosed within the parachute.

The shape of my parachute is one of the essential features of. my invention. Said parachute when open, has the central portion thereof shapedlike a very flat cone, or

for want of a better description, may be said to be shaped like-a'Japanese parasol. 'The ward at 23,. forming a circumferential trough 24: Said circumferential trough in the descent'of the parachute causes a partial to be formed directly above the outer edges ofthe parachute, which greatly increases the supporting lift and the stability stands on the platform 1 on the opposite side of the center-fromthe motor 10, and the.

. weight of the operator substantially coun- I thereofto ano terb'alances the weight of the motor. platform however,-is. of suflicient extent so The that the operator may move from one part ther. In order topropel the apparatus forward, that is in adirection at an angle to the vertical while inmotion, all that is necessary is for the operator to step the edge of the platform, thereby tipping o thewhole apparatus- This will then result iri'the apparatus" movinglin the directi'o'nofthe tip. By walking around theedg'e of the- I platform, the apparatuscan be made to turnv in any desired .direction.

When the parachute is closed, the operaprovided certain of the panels'of the-parachute with windows 25.- These windows may be of any desired number and thepanel I have shown my heliof the{ parachute. The operator may be, if desired, made rigid so as to hold the window in proper position relative to the operator.

It is obvious that minorchanges in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made, without in any way departing from the spirit ofmy invention, or sacrificing the principles thereof.

It'is obvious that my improved helicopter may be used without the parachute if desired. On the other hand, my improved parachute maybe used independently of the helicopter, in balloons or other flying apparatus.

While I prefer to attach the parachute at the point directly underneath the propeller blades, it will be obvious that the parachute may be attached at other points below the propeller blades.

Having thus particularly described my in-. vention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A propeller consisting of a system-of connected ribs forming a self-sustained frame-work, the upper and lower faces of the frame-work being of different curva- A covering therefor, said upperand lower surfaces bein of different curvature, and the the upper.

3. A propeller consisting of an upper surface formed of a system of ribs and a suitable covering therefor, and a lower surface formedtof a system of ribs and a suitable covering therefor, said upper and lower sur faces bein of different curvatures, and the lowersur ace being of less curvature than the upper and said surfaces meeting at the outer edge of the propeller. 4. A propeller consisting of an upper surface formed bf a system of ribs and a suitable covering therefor, and a lower surface lowersur ace being of less curvature than formed of a system of ribs and a suitable one system of rib'sto the other for bracing the same. tor .is covered 'by'the ar'achute, and, in or-; der'to provide means or ob servation,I.have

In testimony-whereof I afiix my signature, in presence of two witnesses. 4 r BERLINER."

E.-A. Tomi, A. Pnes'rou.

covering therefor, said upper and lower suri and the and cross struts extending from 

